Monday, June 8, 1998 Published at 22:25 GMT 23:25 UKSpecial ReportCall for democracy in NigeriaAbacha: opposition groups shedding no tearsWorld leaders have expressed hope that Nigeria will restore democratic rule after the death of its leader, General Sani Abacha.

The British Foreign Secretary, speaking on behalf of the European Union, said he hoped there would be "an opening for stable transition to an early return to democracy."

The same view was voiced in Washington. US State Department spokesman James Rubin said: "We believe there should be a civilian transition in Nigeria, a transition that allows for a genuine democratic process, including oppposition parties."

Chief Anyaoku: Commonwealth hopes

The head of the Commonwealth Chief Emeka Anyaoku, himself a Nigerian,
told BBC World Service television: "The Commonwealth would hope and would expect that the Nigerians will decide to go back to the way of democracy and in so doing will gain re-admission to the Commonwealth."

African leaders observed a minute's silence at their annual summit in Burkina Faso to pay their respects to General Abacha.